Bonesetting, Chiropractic, and Cultism

It would, of course, be quite impossible to present discussion on all
the various chiropractic techniques. However, to further exemplify the
basic difference between scientific joint manipulation, as employed by
such medical practitioners as James Mennell, and chiropractic manipulations
in the treatment of disease, I have taken additional excerpts from an article
in the January 1959 Journal of the National Chiropractic Association
dealing with another new chiropractic theory, the "Electrotactic Theory
of Chiropractic." This article also gives a brief rundown on the various
chiropractic techniques that have been and still are employed by chiropractors
-- most of which are not discussed in this book:

D.D. Palmer's osseous subluxation with neural disturbance was the original
foundation. Within a short period, Willard Carver's postural full-spine
rotatory scolioses ideas took hold of segments of the profession. All manipulative
techniques since then have been developments of either the Palmer or Carver
methods.

From Palmer evolved Meric, B.J. Palmer's HIO Specific, Spear's Loban,
Steinbach, Gillett, Keck, Wursing, Mears, Grostic and others who developed
theory, analyses, and manipulations for one or more vertebral subluxations.

With the existence of varied adjustive and reflex theories and methods,
the time was now ripe for someone to appear upon the chiropractic scene
with a verifiable and scientific hypothesis for the solution of the apparent
contradictions and half-truths, and evolve a practical therapeutic method.
This has now been accomplished by Seymour Liebowitz, of Passaic, N.J. The
Chiropractic of Palmer and Carver will give way to a more valid and efficient
theory and practice. What is required is honesty and intelligence to make
this necessary professional transition [1].

Thus, with this brief history of chiropractic treatment methods, several
of which I have already discussed, another chiropractic "authority"
introduces a new and revolutionary chiropractic treatment that would replace
every other existing chiropractic method -- even the Carver approach which,
as one chiropractic authority stated recently, "is the foundation of
whatever is scientific in chiropractic today." While the "Electrotactic
Theory of Chiropractic" is probably no more correct than its predecessors,
it does, like all the others, completely ignore limited and scientific treatment
of the spinal joints per se. In fact, it quite typically offers a
method of "removing nerve interferences" in the treatment or prevention
of disease. As a form of "reflex therapy," similar to the "new
hypothesis" discussed earlier, it designates treatment sites at certain
points along the skin near the spine, corresponding to diseased areas which,
in turn, are reflected in disturbances in the area of the atlas or pelvis,
or both. Maintaining that these disturbances also cause a "short leg"
in the supine or prone position, this system attempts to construct a "verifiable
and scientific hypothesis" around the "contradictions and half-truths"
found in a variety of chiropractic treatment methods. In addition, it maintains
that "a disturbance or change in any organ is always reflected physiologically
or pathologically in the liver and is detectable." Use of electrotactic
reflex therapy will not only reveal the "key" organ responsible
for a chain of symptoms, but such therapy directed to that organ will also
bring into action "such powerful components as the hypothalamus, adrenal
cortex, aortic plexus, the heart and portions of the digestive tract and
reproductive system."

"We can no longer hide the fact that many patients do not respond
to the multiple therapies existent today in chiropractic," states an
advocate of this method. "It is no wonder that so many in our profession
seek to interject into their practices any 'help' they may obtain with metaphysics
and modalities. Sensing the shortcomings in present theory and practice,
they look outside of our body of knowledge for adjunctive procedures."
[1]

It is not necessary for the reader to attempt to understand some of the
contentions described in this chapter since, obviously, it would be quite
impossible to describe them logically. A critical discussion of any one
of these methods could be carried to great lengths and still fail to arrive
at conclusions similar to those who formulate such theories. Our only purpose
in providing examples of several such theories is to demonstrate the theoretical
nature of many chiropractic methods of treating disease, as opposed to joint
manipulation in its proper perspective. While the use of joint manipulation
progressively develops according to unchanging scientific principles, the
chiropractic treatment of disease changes according to the interpretation
of the individual.

Chiropractic theorists, in referring to the medical use of manipulation
in Germany, for example, state with an air of superiority:

German medicine is starting to take over chiropractic, in its Palmer
form. By the time medicine absorbs old, orthodox, manipulative subluxation
chiropractic, it will have become outmoded and obsolete among the chiropractors
themselves. Leaving medicine and Paleozoic methods, chiropractic will employ
the procedures of its scientific future -- electrotactic reflex application.
[1]

According to the above writer, the chiropractic "stolen" from
chiropractors by the German physician is worth little and is subject to
radical change. Actually, however, the manipulative procedures recognized
by medical science are applied to certain conditions under specific indications.
A subluxated vertebra, for example, is a real and acutely painful entity,
the treatment of which, often requiring manipulation, is not subject to
radical change. Specific movements of joints, in conditions requiring such
treatment, are likely to be performed in a similar and basic manner conforming
to the laws of anatomy and physiology. Methods of treating the joints have
been passed down from antiquity and have changed but little, since the articulations
of joints have remained quite the same. The German physicians claim to be
adopting an old form of medical treatment that has existed in Germany for
centuries.

Although many present-day methods of chiropractic manipulation are similar
to ancient methods of bonesetting, which have much value in the treatment
of joint conditions, it is interesting to note that the chiropractor's efforts
to treat disease are leading him away from basically sound methods and reasons
for joint manipulation to treatment methods unrelated to joint disturbances.
In the meantime, medical science continues to make greater use of manipulative
procedures that have changed but little from the most remote times.

As I have already noted, many chiropractic theories and techniques have
completely abandoned manipulation of the spine in exchange for treatment
that is applied upon other areas of the body for the purpose of "normalizing
the nervous system." Ironically enough, it seems that the chiropractor
has failed to recognize the value of manipulation in actual joint conditions,
which is the part of chiropractic "being absorbed by the medical profession."
Probably, the failure of the chiropractor to specialize and seek reciprocity
with medical practice leads him to the shattering realization that the only
thing original in chiropractic is its creed, which is apparently so vague
as to support over 150 theories at once!

The promoter of the "Electrotactic Theory of Chiropractic"
states:

Those who have come forth with new hypotheses and techniques take for
granted that which has been previously established and accepted and add
their new concepts to the old, either superimposed on the old or standing
side-by-side. Electrotactic reflex application does not add; it substitutes
new theory and method for old. . . . Under this approach, the results in
problem cases are better than the best in current chiropractic; for the
usual case it is superior. . . . It is infallible as to pin-pointing the
patient's sickness and therefore an accurate and amazing method of diagnosis.
It allows the "erasure" of incorrect previous therapy . . . there
is also allowance for accurate check on the indication or contraindication
for nutritional supplements and drugs. . . The theory and application of
electrotactics cannot be learned in two or four easy lessons. It is not
a few thrusts on vertebrae or a haphazard contact point. Its theory and
application are not easy. Clinical experience and a good background are
prerequisites for understanding this work [1].

Thus, due to the lack of any real scientific material in the literature
of chiropractic, another sensational theory finds its way into the confused
and often gullible mind of the chiropractor who hardly knows which course
to take next.

Reference

1. Schlenoff M. Electrotactic theory of chiropractic: The quiet revolution
in theory and method. Journal of the National Chiropractic Association,
January, 1959.